Zach Attack
Beckett Hockey|January 2017

Werenski is making a case for the Calder

Stephen Laroche
Zach Attack

The buzz on Columbus Blue Jackets rookie defender Zach Werenski was strong heading into the 2016-17 season. Along with Seth Jones and Ryan Murray, he is a key part of what may be the most promising trio of young defenders in the game today and is off to an incredible start.

Following an impressive freshman year with the University of Michigan where he made the Big Ten All Rookie and First All-Star Teams, Werenski was chosen eighth overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He decided to spend one more season in the college ranks, winning a Big Ten championship in addition to taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors after putting up a point per game. If that was not enough, he paced all defense men in scoring as the United States won a bronze medal at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.

This story is from the January 2017 edition of Beckett Hockey.

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This story is from the January 2017 edition of Beckett Hockey.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.